Bundled cable or phone services
Bundled cable or phone services
Bundled packages aren't always a deal, if you're not using the extra services you're paying for.

Consumers are often lured into bundled cable, Internet or phone packages because of the reduced rates offered during the first year or a limited period of time. But paying for 500 channels that you're not watching, or unlimited text messages or airtime that you're not using, is just a waste of money.

"People will often just pick the plan they think they can afford, and then they won't check their usage compared to what they're paying for," said Orecchio. "You might be paying for the silver or gold cable package with lots of channels when you're only watching the same 10 channels, and the same goes for cell phones -- you could be paying $100 a month for your cell phone plan and only using $50."


Last updated May 18 2011: 5:07 PM ET
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